Torture of children

Nature

Children are systematically tortured in a large number of countries. They are whipped or kicked for hours, given electrical shocks, sexually abused, beaten on the soles of their feet, or their eyes gouged out or mutilated in other ways. In some cases children are made to watch as their parents are tortured. Some times children are tortured in front of their parents to force confessions or as a form of psychological torture. Some children have been imprisoned without charges with their mothers or when their mother was bearing them.

Background

The torture of children emerged as a distinct global concern in the late 20th century, following documented abuses during political conflicts and in detention settings. International attention intensified after reports by organizations such as Amnesty International and UNICEF in the 1980s and 1990s, revealing systematic practices in various regions. Subsequent UN investigations and the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child further highlighted the prevalence and gravity of child torture worldwide.

Incidence

Torture of children has been reported in the following countries: (Africa) Ethiopia, South Africa; (America) Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru; (Asia) Afghanistan, Iran Islamic Rep, Iraq, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore; (Europe) Poland, Turkey.

Claim

The torture of children is an appalling and urgent crisis that demands immediate global attention. No society can call itself just while even a single child suffers such unimaginable cruelty. This horrific abuse destroys lives, shatters families, and scars entire communities. We must prioritize the protection of children, enforce strict laws, and hold perpetrators accountable. Ignoring this grave injustice is a betrayal of our shared humanity and moral responsibility.